VS
At a Glance
Power
148 kW
74kW@3500
Torque
440 Nm
240Nm@2000
Fuel
6.7 l/100km
9.44
Towing
1588 Kg
2000
0-100 km/h
10.7 s
14.9
Engine
2151 cc
1870
Choosing between the KIA Carnival and the Renault Trafic is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The KIA Carnival delivers 148 kW while the Renault Trafic produces 74kW@3500. On fuel, the Carnival returns 6.7 l/100km while the Trafic uses 9.44 — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R1 049 995 for the Carnival and R207 000 for the Trafic. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
148 kW
74kW@3500
Torque
440 Nm
240Nm@2000
0-100 kph
10.7 s
14.9
Top Speed
190 Km/h
155
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2151 cc
1870
Engine Layout
inline
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
diesel
DIESEL
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
—
Transmission
automatic
MANUAL
Number of Gears
8
6
Drive Wheels
front
FRONT
Full Time 4x4
—
✗
Low Range
—
✗
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
6.7 l/100km
9.44
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
11.1
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
8.4
Fuel Tank Capacity
72 l
90
CO2 Emissions
177 g/km
—
Dimensions
Length
5155 mm
4782
Width
1995 mm
2232
Height
1775 mm
1959
Wheelbase
3090 mm
3098
Ground Clearance
172 mm
152
Kerb Weight
2157 Kg
2700
Doors
5 incl. 2 sliding side + 1 rear
5
Seats
8
3
Load Volume
1139-4110 l
—
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1588 Kg
2000
Load Capacity
—
5000
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✗
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✗
Airbag Count
7
1
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✗
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
—
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
—
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
Optional
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✗
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✗
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
—
Satellite Navigation
—
✗
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✗
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✗
Sunroof
—
✗
Heated Seats
—
✗
Electric Seat Adjustment
—
✗
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
—
✗
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
36
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
100000
Service Plan
—
S
Service Intervals
15000
10000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
KIA Carnival
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Carnival
Fuel Economy
Carnival
Value
Trafic
Practicality
Carnival
Pros & Cons
KIA Carnival
Better fuel economy (6.7 l/100km)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (10.7 ss)
Higher starting price
Renault Trafic
Lower starting price (R207 000)
Higher towing capacity (2000)
Higher fuel consumption (9.44)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Carnival or Trafic?
The Carnival uses 6.7 l/100km and the Trafic uses 9.44 on the combined cycle. The Carnival is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Carnival or Trafic?
The Carnival produces 148 kW and 440 Nm of torque while the Trafic delivers 74kW@3500 and 240Nm@2000 of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the Carnival and Trafic?
The Carnival starts from R1 049 995 and the Trafic from R207 000. The Trafic is cheaper by R842 995 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Carnival or Trafic?
The Carnival has a braked towing capacity of 1588 Kg and the Trafic can tow 2000. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Carnival or the Trafic?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.